Webquest 2. Battling Stereotypes about Indians

Introduction

In order to understand how stereotypes of Native Americans have permeated our societiy you should complete this webquest. By doing so, you will develop an understanding of how stereotypes operate and how they get in the way of understanding another culture.

Task

Your task is to identify five examples of stereotypes about Indians. You can review movies, advertisements, illustrations in books, comics – in short anywhere you find stereotypical representations of Indians. Select them from any source, include a copy of the image/reference, and discuss how each one works as a stereotype. What ideas does the image/work associate with Native Americans – what are you the viewer supposed to understand about Native Americans?

Process

You can find images of Native Americans in the supermarket, on sports channels, in movies and in advertising. Look in each of these places and select five images of Native Americans
Select five stereotypes and write a short paragraph describing the stereotype in terms of the ideas that the viewer is supposed to attach to them

Consider these questions
Why do these ideas attach to the stereotypes?
Why does our society create stereotypes
How do stereotypes organize our view of different people in the world?
Can you list the stereotypes that associate with white Americans?

Conclusion

When you have completed the webquest you should have about five examples of stereotypes of Native Americans that our society has produced. Your text should review the ideas associated with these images/movies/ads and explain what viewers of these stereotypes are meant to see Indians as.

Suggested Sources
Try these links to get started on this webquest. Use the backbutton of your browser to return to this wiki.
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